Notifying stations for portable electronic devices and methods

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, an automobile has a station that can support a portable electronic device (PED). The station includes a body, which could be integrated with the automobile. The body defines a PED seat, for supporting the PED. A movable member can exert tension so as to bias the supported PED, to prevent the PED from falling off. Detection means can detect when the PED is receiving a wireless signal. A human-perceptible indication can be generated in response to the detection means, above and beyond any ringing and/or vibrating from the PED itself. As such, a user can always keep the PED at the “Silent” annunciation mode even while in the automobile.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/142,822 filed Jan. 6, 2009, titled “NOTIFYINGSTATIONS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND METHODS,” which applicationis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.This patent application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/682,675, filed on Mar. 6, 2007, andentitled “NOTIFYING STATIONS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES ANDMETHODS,” which application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to the field of accessories forPortable Electronic Devices (PEDs) such as cellphones and PDAs, and morespecifically to devices and methods for supporting a PED and notifying auser who may not longer be carrying the PED.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) such as cell phones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), and the like are proliferating. A number of them canperform wireless communication, such as permit the user to conduct atelephone conversation, exchange emails or text messages, and so on.Such activities are often via an interface of the device, which canconduct a dialogue with the user, and so on.

In a number of instances, these activities start with an event, such asa PED receiving a telephone call, or receiving an email or text message.For these instances, PEDs notify the users of the event, such as byproducing a sound or a vibration, depending on the annunciation modethat the user has chosen. Examples are now described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a mobile telephone 100, as it might be carried ona belt 110 of a user (not shown). Mobile telephone 100 is on standby,meaning that it is on, but the user is not using it to conduct awireless telephone call. Mobile telephone 100 can be set in anyannunciation mode 136, which can be either to ring (“Normal”), or tovibrate (“Silent”), if it is to notify its user that it received awireless signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of mobile telephone 100, while receiving a telephonecall via a wireless signal 240. For purposes of FIG. 2, mobile telephone100 has been placed by the user in a “Normal” annunciation mode 236, andtherefore rings 250 to notify the user. Ringing 250 can be by generatinga ring tone.

This ringing 250 has been undesirable in some settings, where peoplemust keep quiet. These settings are not just theaters, but sometimesalso the workplace. For example, ring tones alone can distractcoworkers. Accordingly, the “Silent” annunciation mode has beenimplemented, as described below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of mobile telephone 100, while receiving a telephonecall via a wireless signal 340. For purposes of FIG. 3, mobile telephone100 has been placed by the user in a “Silent” annunciation mode 336, andtherefore it vibrates 350 to notify the user, instead of ringing.

PEDs permit the user to change the annunciation mode, from “Normal” 236to “Silent” 336 and back. So, nominally, they can change it to “Silent”336 every time they enter a place where they have to keep quiet, andback to “Normal” 236 every time they exit such a place.

A problem arises from the fact that it is the user who is required tokeep transitioning the PED between the different annunciation modes.Sometimes they forget, resulting in embarrassment if their phone ringswhen it should not. Others give up, especially when they realize thatthey can still perceive the vibration, and do not need the ringing ofthe “Normal” annunciation mode 236. So, they just leave the phone in the“Silent” annunciation mode 336. When they go home, they turn it off, andinstead rely on the land line of the home telephone for their telephoneconversations.

In some instances, however, they forget to turn off the mobiletelephone. As seen in FIG. 4, mobile telephone 100 has been left on asurface 401, such as a table or a desk. Upon receiving a signal 440,mobile telephone 100 vibrates 350 to notify the user. But the user couldhave walked to another room, and will miss the call because they willnot feel the vibration or hear a ringing.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes these problems and limitations of theprior art.

Generally, the present invention provides accessories for one or moreportable electronic devices (PEDs), and related methods. Theseaccessories are also known as stations for the PEDs. In someembodiments, a station supports a PED, and senses when the PED would benotifying its user about a wireless signal that is received from aremote transmitter. When the station so senses, it further generates ahuman-perceptible indication to help notify the user, who might havewalked away. The human-perceptible indication can include, for example,a call sound, a light signal, etc.

In some embodiments, the call sound can be such that the station canring like a regular home telephone when the PED is only vibrating. Theuser can thus keep the PED at the “Silent” annunciation mode, withouthaving to remember to change the mode every time they leave the PED onthe station, and every time they take it back. Therefore, it would beless necessary for a user to have a separate telephone line for thehome, at least for voice communications. And since they can take themobile telephone with them when they leave, they need have, and pay for,only one telephone number.

In some embodiments, the light signal can be such that the stationlights up when the PED is only vibrating. This way, coworkers will bedistracted less.

Stations according to optional embodiments can be also stations forcharging a battery of the PED. Charging can be via wires or wirelessly.

The invention will become more readily apparent from the followingDetailed Description, which proceeds with reference to the drawings, inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a mobile telephone, as it might be carried by auser.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the mobile telephone of FIG. 1 in a “Normal”annunciation mode, while receiving a telephone call, and ringing tonotify the user.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the mobile telephone of FIG. 1 in a “Silent”annunciation mode, while receiving a telephone call and vibrating tonotify the user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the mobile telephone of FIG. 1, in the “Silent”annunciation mode of FIG. 3, while it is no longer carried, andreceiving a telephone call and vibrating.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of components of a station for supporting aPersonal Electronic Device (PED) according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a station according to embodiments that have abody with an underside suitable for being supported on a horizontalsurface.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a station according to embodiments that have abody adapted to be hung on a wall.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of a station according to embodiments where thebody supports a PED on a top side.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of a station body according to embodiments wherethe body supports a PED by tension.

FIG. 8C is a diagram of a station according to embodiments where thebody has a cavity for supporting a PED.

FIG. 8D is a diagram of a station body according to embodiments wherethe body has a cavity for a PED, and supports it also by tension.

FIG. 8E is a diagram of a station body according to embodiments wherethe body has a cavity for a PED, and supports it without tension.

FIG. 8F is a diagram of a station body according to embodiments wherethe body has a cavity for a PED, and where the cavity has a shapedesigned to receive the PED snugly.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a station according to embodiments where the bodyhas a base and a receptacle for supporting a PED.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a station according to embodiments where thebody has a base and a receptacle for supporting a PED.

FIG. 11A is a block diagram of components of a station for supporting aPED according to optional embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11B is a block diagram of components of a station for supporting aPED according to other optional embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12A is a diagram of a scene where a user is away from a building,and carries a PED upon their person.

FIG. 12B is a diagram of a scene where a user is in the building of FIG.12A, and has left their PED on a station with the components of thestation of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is the diagram of an embodiment of the station of FIG. 12B,except the supported PED is also receiving a wireless signal andvibrating because of it.

FIG. 14 is the diagram of an embodiment of the station of FIG. 12B,except the supported PED is also receiving a wireless signal and ringingbecause of it.

FIG. 15 is the diagram of an embodiment of the station of FIG. 12B,except the supported PED is also receiving a wireless signal andvibrating because of it.

FIG. 16 is the diagram of an embodiment of the station of FIG. 12B,except the supported PED is also receiving a wireless signal and ringingbecause of it.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating methods according to embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 14, which is being usedto support concurrently two PEDs.

FIG. 19A is a diagram of a sample four-seat embodiment, which has twoPEDs docked on it, and a third PED is being placed on it.

FIG. 19B is a diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 19A, at a later timeduring which one of the docked PEDs is receiving a call.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As has been mentioned, the present invention provides stations for oneor more portable electronic devices (PEDs), and methods for suchstations. The invention is now described in more detail.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a set of components is shown for a station 500made according to embodiments. Station 500 is for a Portable ElectronicDevice (PED) 555, which can be as a mobile telephone, a Personal DigitalAssistant, and so on. PED 555 itself does not form part of theinvention. Station 500 can also be called a calling docking station 500or simply a calling dock 500 for PED 555.

PED 555 includes an antenna operable to receive a wireless signal, suchas in conjunction with receiving a telephone call or a text message. Thewireless signal is received from a remote transmitter, such as thoseused by telephone companies for mobile telephones. Those transmitterscan be hundreds or a few thousands of feet away from PED 555. As such,PED 555 does not receive the wireless signal from station 500 itself, inother words, station 500 is not the base of a home telephone that isportable.

PED 555 also includes a PED mechanism to operate for notifying a userabout the received wireless signal. The PED mechanism can include avibration mechanism for causing a vibration, or a PED speaker forgenerating a ring tone, or both.

Station 500 includes a body 510 for supporting PED 555. Body 510 can bemade in a number of ways, as will be seen later in this document.

Station 500 also includes a sensor 520. Sensor 520 is adapted to sensewhen the PED mechanism is operating while PED 555 is supported by body510. In addition sensor 520 is adapted to output a call signal CSresponsive to so sensing.

Sensor 520 may be made in any number of ways, especially with a view tobetter and more reliably sensing the operation of the PED mechanism. Insome embodiments, the PED mechanism includes a vibration mechanism forcausing a mechanical vibration, and sensor 520 correspondingly includesa vibration sensor for perceiving the vibration.

The vibration sensor can be made as is known in the art. Vibrationsensors are sensors for measuring, displaying and analyzing linearvelocity, displacement and proximity, acceleration, etc. They can beused on a stand-alone basis, or in conjunction with a data acquisitionsystem that can be optionally included as a circuit in the station.

Vibration sensors are available in many forms. They can be raw sensingelements, packaged transducers, or as a sensor system or instrument,incorporating features such as totalizing and data recording. Thesedevices work on many operating principles. The most common types ofvibration sensors are piezoelectric, capacitance, null-balance, straingage, resonance beam, piezoresistive and magnetic induction. Analternative to traditional vibration sensors is one manufactured usingMEMS technology, a micro-machining technology that allows for a muchsmaller device and thus package design.

Vibration sensors can have from one axis to three axes of measurement,the multiple axes typically being orthogonal to each other. The designchoice is best made in conjunction with the exact shape of station 500.For example, if station 500 is provided a cavity as described below, thecavity can define different directions vibration of PED 555. In suchinstances, there can be more than one sensors, one for each direction,with their output signals combined, and so on.

Five main features must be considered when selecting vibration sensors,and adjusted for best sensing the vibration of PED 555. The features aremeasuring range, frequency range, accuracy, transverse sensitivity andambient conditions.

Measuring range can be in G's for acceleration, in/sec for linearvelocity (or other distance over time), and inches or other distance fordisplacement and proximity.

Frequency is measured in Hz, and accuracy is typically represented as apercentage of allowable error over the full measurement range of thedevice.

Transverse sensitivity refers to the effect a force orthogonal to theone being measured can have on the reading, but that should not be aproblem where station 500 is stationary, such at a home or office.Again, this is represented as percentage of full scale of allowableinterference.

For the ambient conditions, such things as temperature should beconsidered, as well as the maximum shock and vibration the vibrationsensors will be able to handle. This is the rating of how much abuse thedevice can stand before it stops performing, much different from howmuch vibration or acceleration vibration sensors can measure.

There are a number of electrical output options for the call signal.These can depend on the system being used with the vibration sensors.Common analog options are voltage, current or frequency. Digital outputchoices are the standard parallel and serial signals. Another option isto use vibration sensors with an output of a change in state of switchesor alarms. In addition, these sensors can have acceleration, velocity,or displacement as output by either integrating or differentiating theirprimary output.

A great number of vendors for vibration sensors can be found in theWorld Wide Web. For example, one can search using a search engine suchas google.com for “vibration sensor”. At the time this document wasoriginally filed with the U.S.P.T.O., vendors have websites atwww.signalquest.com, www.sensorland.com, and www.wilcoxon.com.

In some embodiments, the PED mechanism includes a PED speaker forgenerating a ring tone, and sensor 520 correspondingly includes amicrophone for perceiving the ring tone. In other embodiments, sensor520 includes a vibration sensor along with the microphone.

Sensor 520 can be provided separately from body 510. In the preferredembodiment, however, sensor 520 is incorporated within body 510. It canbe incorporated as a separate device, or as part of a circuit that isdescribed later in this document.

Station 500 also includes a station notifier 530. Station notifier 530can be made so that it generates a human-perceptible indication,responsive to call signal CS. As will be seen in more detail later inthis document, in some embodiments station notifier 530 can include astation speaker, in which case the human-perceptible further indicationincludes a call sound. In other embodiments, station notifier 530 caninclude a station light, in which case the human-perceptible indicationincludes a light signal. Moreover, notifier 530 can include acombination of two or more of these and other items, and so one.

Station notifier 530 can be provided separately from body 510. In thepreferred embodiments, however, a station speaker is incorporated withinbody 510, while a station light is provided at a surface of body 510.

As has already been mentioned, body 510 can be made in any number ofways and configurations. Some configurations are for body 510 to bestandalone, or be placed in a home. In other configurations, body 510can be, along with its supported PED, in a briefcase or a lady's purse,or an automobile. Body 510 can be standalone, for taking in and out ofthe briefcase or purse or automobile, or be integrated with thebriefcase or purse or automobile. In these configurations, body 510 ispreferably made such that it will host PED 555 more securely, withoutletting it fall off, if the briefcase or purse or automobile movessuddenly.

For constructing body 510, materials include, by way of example and notof limitation, plastics and metal, and in general materials similar tothose for making home telephones. Two main configurations are nowdescribed.

Referring to FIG. 6, a body 610 of a station according to an embodimentincludes an underside 611 that has a substantially flat portion. Assuch, body 610 can be supported on a horizontal surface 601, which canbe a kitchen counter, a night stand, a table top, or any surface someonemight place a home telephone on. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the entireunderside 611 is flat, but that is not necessary.

In some embodiments, not shown in FIG. 6, underside 611 also includesfeet, which can be made from rubber, plastic or other suitable material.The feet prevent body 610 from sliding on, or scratching surface 601.

Referring to FIG. 7, a body 710 of a station according to an embodimentincludes a feature 712 for hanging base 710 on a wall 701. Feature 712can be made in any number of ways, some learned from how home telephonedevices are made. For example, feature 712 can be a hole for nailing anail therethrough, or for anchoring body 710 at the head of a screw.

Referring back to FIG. 5, and as mentioned above, body 510 can be madein any number of ways, for supporting PED 555. A number of such ways arenow described. Other portions of this document, which describe otheraspects of the invention, may iconically show a PED simply on a station,but that is only by way of example, and not of limitation. In thoseportions, it is meant that the PED maybe supported by the station in anynumber of ways.

In most embodiments, the station defines explicitly a PED space for thePED to be received at. Where it is so defined, the PED space can also becalled a “PED seat”, or simply “seat”. The PED seat can be designed sothat the sensor will work the best, and so on. The seat can even have adrawing or instruction, explicit or implicit, for suggesting placing PED555 there. In some embodiments, the placement will be suggested by theshape or configuration of the PED seat, and of the remainder of thedevice.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of a station 800 according to an embodiment.Station 800 has a body 810, with a designated PED seat 811 forsupporting PED 555. Seat 811 is on a top surface of body 810, which issubstantially flat. PED 555 is held in seat 811 by friction, for exampleby a rubber surface 815 on seat 811. Rubber surface 815 prevents PED 555from displacing itself off of seat 811, as it vibrates. If provided,rubber surface 815 is preferably thin, so as to not muffle much of anyvibration of PED 555, and thus permit enough of the vibration to bedetected by the station, for notifying the user. In addition, if station800 includes also a charger for PED 555, rubber surface 815 is shaped sothat it does not get in the way of charging.

Another set of station embodiments hold PED 555 to the station bytension. The tension can be implemented by spring loading, snug fit, andso on. These embodiments are particularly suitable where the station ofthe invention may be moved, as is the case when the station will be in abriefcase, in a lady's purse, or in an automobile. Examples are nowdescribed.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of a station body 820 according to an embodiment. Amovable member 822 secures PED 555 to body 820, at least in part. Member822 is either a cover, or an arm, and so on. In the shown embodiment,member 822 exerts a tension 824 so as to bias PED 555 towards body 820.Member 822 can be spring loaded. In other embodiments, member 822 canclasp with a portion of body 820. In some of the clasping embodiments,fitting of PED 555 is snug.

FIG. 8C is a diagram of a station body 830 according to an embodiment.Body 830 has a PED seat 831 with a cavity 837 for supporting therein PED555. Using a cavity has advantages. First, designing with a cavity maymake for a simpler embodiment than with the moveable member of FIG. 8B.Second, a cavity provides for more predictability of where PED 555 willend up with respect to body 810, and thus also with respect to wheresensor 520 (not shown in FIG. 8B) should be located within body 830. Thepredictability will be because a first time user is more likely tounderstand where exactly PED 555 is to be placed. Third, PED 555 willtend to gravitate towards a bottom of cavity 837.

Cavity 837 may be made with any number of shapes. For example, it can betrough shaped, hole shaped, shallow or deep, and so on. An embodimentwith a cavity can be made while at the same time supporting the PEDtherein under tension or not. Plus, a rubber surface can be provided inthe interior of the cavity, for supporting thereon PED 555, such as wasshown with rubber surface 815.

FIG. 8D is a diagram of a station body 840 according to an embodiment.Body 840 has a PED seat 841 for receiving PED 555. Seat 841 includes acavity 847, for inserting PED 555 therein. Once PED 555 has beeninserted in cavity 847, it is held in place also under tension 844,provided by a spring 842. The action of inserting PED 555 in cavity 847amounts to sheathing it. A part of the cavity has a portion that ismovable under tension 844, when PED 555 is inserted or removed. Themoveable portion can be made from the same materials that are moveablyconnected to each other, or flexible materials, and so on.

A design that holds PED 555 in place, such as the design of FIG. 8D, isthe preferred embodiment for where the station of the invention may bemoved, as is the case when the station will be in a briefcase, in alady's purse, or in an automobile. Especially in the case of anautomobile, body 840 can be integrated with the vehicle, at a locationsuitable for sheathing by the driver or passengers. The size of theopening of cavity 847 can be initially adjustable, to prepare fordifferent size PEDs, and so on. The placement of spring 842 also reduceshow many moving parts are exposed to the user, whose attention may beelsewhere. This design can be implemented together with a charger, ornot. If not, it should be noted that PED 555 can be inserted upsidedown, so as to leave any connections at its underside exposed forcharging by other means. Other parts of the station can be implementedby other portions of the automobile, such as the speakers, and so on. Inthe automobile case, other components of the invention can be integratedwith other parts of the automobile.

FIG. 8E is a diagram of a station body 850 according to an embodiment.Body 850 has a PED seat 851 for receiving PED 555. Seat 851 includes acavity 857, for inserting PED 555 therein. Once PED 555 has beenreceived in cavity 857, it is supported by its weight, but withouttension.

FIG. 8F is a diagram of a station body 860 according to an embodiment.Body 860 has a PED seat 861 for receiving PED 555. Seat 851 includes acavity 867, for inserting PED 555 therein. Cavity 867 has a shape thatis designed to receive PED 555 snugly. In other words, cavity 867 has ashape that substantially matches a shape of PED 555 enough for asubstantially snug fit. The snug fit will make it easier to detect thevibration. However, the shape of cavity 867 preferably does not matchthe entire perimeter of PED 555, to allow for grasping PED 555, forextracting it from cavity 867.

In some embodiments, the body of a station has at least two mechanicalcomponents. One such component is a base, intended for supporting thebody in its environment. For example, what was written above for thebody being supported on a surface or a wall applies equally well to thebase.

The other component is a receptacle, which is adapted for supporting thePED. For example, what was written above for the body supporting the PEDapplies equally well to the receptacle. For instance, it can have a topsurface that is flat or includes a cavity. Or any other shape suitablefor receiving PED 555.

In these embodiments, the sensor can sense a vibration between the baseand the receptacle. The sensor can be ensconced in either the base orthe receptacle, and operate based on the fact that the PED nested in thereceptacle will cause the whole receptacle to vibrate with respect tothe base.

The base and the receptacle can be provided in a number ofconfigurations. Two sample such configurations are illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 9, a body 910 has a base 914, and a receptacle 916that is above base 914. Base 914 is supported on horizontal surface 901.Receptacle 916 is adapted to receive and support PED 555 as per theabove. In the example of FIG. 9, receptacle 916 does not includes acavity, but that is only by example, not limitation.

Referring to FIG. 10, a body 1010 has a base 1014, and a receptacle 1016that is to the side of base 1014. Base 914 is supported on a wall 1001.Receptacle 1016 is adapted to receive and support PED 555 as per theabove. In the example of FIG. 10, receptacle 1016 also includes anoptional cavity 1017.

FIG. 11A is a block diagram of components of a station 1100 forsupporting PED 555 according to optional embodiments of the invention.Station 1100 includes a body 1110, which can be made as described abovefor such a body.

Station 1100 includes a sensor 1120, which can be as described forsensor 520, and adapted as necessary for the included optionalcomponents. Sensor 1120 generates call signal CS, when the PED mechanismof PED 555 is operating. In addition, station 1100 includes a stationnotifier 1130, which can be as described for station notifier 530.Notifier 1130 can output a human-perceptible indication responsive tocall signal CS.

Station 1100 also optionally includes a power supply module 1115. Module1115 supplies the electrical power needs of the components seen in FIG.11A, such as powering an operation of station notifier 1130, and so on.Module 1115 can be implemented within body 1110.

Power supply module 1115 can be implemented in any number of ways, aswill be discerned by a person skilled in the art. For example, in someembodiments, module 1115 is a battery, while in others it is atransformer for converting electrical power, such as from a wall outletto DC.

In some embodiments, station 1100 can also be a station for charging abattery of PED 555. Charging can be wirelessly, or by wires, as will bedescribed in more detail later, with reference to FIG. 11B. Moreover,the charging operation can optionally be combined with an operation ofstation 1100.

In some embodiments, charging can be wirelessly. Wireless charging isperformed by further adapting PED 555 to harvest powering wirelesssignals, such as RF waves and/or magnetic waves. Embodiments forcharging PED 555 wirelessly include a local transmitter of such poweringwireless signals. Such a local wireless powering transmitter 1144 can beprovided close to station 1100, or within it, and can optionally andpreferably be powered by module 1115.

Station 1100 optionally and preferably includes a circuit 1122. Circuit1122 senses call signal CS, and in response generates a notifier signalNS for driving station notifier 1130.

Circuit 1122 can be made in any way known for circuits, such as with aprinted circuit board (PCB), integrated circuit, microprocessor, customprocessor, Digital Signal Processing, and the like. In some embodiments,circuit 1122 includes or is provided jointly with others of thecomponents shown in FIG. 11A.

In some embodiments, station 1100 includes a filter 1124. Filter 1124filters what sensor 1120 senses, and controls so that thehuman-perceptible indication is generated from station notifier 1130,but not generated when another event is sensed by sensor 1120. Othersuch events are thus filtered out, without causing station notifier 1130to ring when it should not.

Filter 1124 may be implemented in a number of different ways. Forexample, it can be a mechanical filter. Or an electrical filter, formedas part of sensor 1120, circuit 1122, or both.

In addition, a sensor training actuator 1126 can be provided, which canbe actuated when PED 555 is supported and vibrating. Actuator 1126informs filter 1124, or circuit 1122, when a legitimate event is indeedtaking place, for the device to be trained. For example, if filter 1124is indeed used, it can adjust its pass bandwidth towards a frequencycomponent with the largest amplitude. This way, other events will beexcluded more reliably, and false notifications will be prevented. Inoperation, PED 555 can be supported by body 1110, and called. Whileringing or vibrating, sensor training actuator 1126 can be actuated. Ifboth a ringing sensor and a vibration sensor are provided, whileactuator 1126 is being actuated, it would be determined which isreceiving the strongest signal, for determining which one is beingtrained, and so on. If sensor training actuator 1126 is indeed provided,it can be marked with the designation “SET”, or “SET FOR DEVICE”, etc.

In addition, un-training can be provided for filter 1124, for thereverse operation of sensor training actuator 1126. This can be adifferent actuator, which can be marked as “RESET”, and so on.

Station 1100 optionally also includes a station notifier testingactuator 1138. This can be an actuator for the user to test whetherstation notifier 1130 works. So, station notifier testing actuator 1138can cause the human-perceptible indication to be generated when the PEDmechanism is not sensed by sensor 1120 as operating. In some embodimentsthat is while PED 555 is supported by body 1110, or even if no PED issupported by body 1110. In the preferred embodiment, station notifiertesting actuator operates by simulating or duplicating notifier signalNS.

Station notifier 1130 operates responsive to call signal CS, or itsderivative notifier signal NS, when PED 555 is sensed as vibrating orringing. Station notifier 1130 can be made in any number of ways.

In some embodiments, station notifier 1130 includes a station speaker1132, which generates a call sound as its human-perceptible indication.The call sound can be akin to a ring tone for cell phones, beprogrammable, and so on. It is preferred that the human-perceptibleindication be approximately as loud as that of a telephone, of a home oran office, since station 1100 is to support PED 555 at a home or office.

Station 1100 optionally also includes a volume controller 1134, foradjusting a volume of the call sound. Volume controller 1134 can be aknob that controls station speaker 1132. It is preferred to set thiswhile operating station notifier testing actuator 1138.

Volume controller 1134 can have a setting all the way down to zerovolume. In addition, or alternately, a disable switch can be providedfor station speaker 1132. This way, office environments can beaccommodated with no sound. In such embodiments, it is preferred thatstation notifier 1130 had another ways of notifying the user. Thedisable switch can be a switch that is set once for all calls.Alternately, it can be used for discontinuing the notification for asingle call, if it is desired to ignore it, and in which case stationspeaker 1132 would again emit a sound to notify the user for the nextcall.

In some embodiments, station notifier 1130 includes a station light1136, which generates a light signal as its human-perceptibleindication. This is preferred for environments where ringing is notdesired, such as offices. This is also preferably provided for stationsthat are for multiple PEDs, as will be seen below, so that someoneresponding to a call can tell more quickly which of the PEDs rang.

In some embodiments, station notifier 1130 includes both a volumecontroller 1134, and a station light 1136. In addition, it can include aswitch to decide which of them is to notify, and so on.

Station 1100 furthermore optionally includes a docking detector 1150.Docking detector 1150 can detect that PED 555 is indeed supported bybody 1100. Docking detector 1150 can be implemented in any suitable way,such as with a pressure sensor, a proximity detector, a detector of RFemitted by PED 555 when it is on, and so on. In addition, dockingdetector 1150 can be implemented by a switch that is normally in a firststate when PED 555 is not supported by the body, and is at a secondstate when PED 555 is supported by the body. For example, it can benormally open when PED 555 is not supported by the body, and close whenPED 555 is supported by the body, or vice versa. For example, the switchcan close between a receptacle and a base, or close when PED 555 isplaced in a cavity, for example if a bottom panel of the cavity ismoveable, and so on.

An output of docking detector 1150 can control when station notifier1130 generates the human-perceptible indication. Accordingly, in someembodiments, station notifier 1130 cannot generate the human-perceptibleindication unless docking detector 1150 detecting that PED 555 issupported by body 1110.

Station 1100 additionally optionally includes a docking indicator 1155.Docking indicator 1155 can be actuated when docking detector 1150detects that PED 555 is supported by body 1100. Docking indicator 1155can be a light, emitting light when actuated, or a speaker, emitting asound when actuated.

In some embodiments, docking indicator 1155 can be implemented bystation notifier 1130 itself. In other words, station notifier 1130 alsodoubles as docking indicator 1155, whether it is implemented by speaker1132, station light 1136, or both. More particularly, station notifier1130 is operable to generate the human-perceptible indication alsoresponsive to the docking detector detecting that the PED is supportedby the body. The human-perceptible indication can be the same indicationor different, from when the PED mechanism is being used. For example, ifspeaker 1132 is used also this way, it can ring only once, briefly, andnot very loudly, upon docking PED 555 at it.

Docking indicator 1155 is intended to provide comfort to the user, whowill observe that station 1100 detects immediately that PED 555 has beenplaced there. This way, the user will have more trust that station 1100works, and will rings or vibrate, when PED 555 receives a call.

While detecting that PED 555 is supported by body 1100, dockingindicator 1155 can operate in a number of ways. In some embodiments, itcan operate continuously. For example, if it includes a light, it canemit light continuously. In other embodiments, docking indicator 1155can operate for a short time, responsive to detecting that the PED hasstarted being supported by the body. But then docking indicator 1155 canstop operating. For example, a speaker can be used to emit a briefsound, or a light can blink a few times. This can serve as adequateconfirmation to the user that PED 555 has been docked. If dockingindicator 1155 ahs stopped operating, then it might again operatebriefly as PED 555 is being removed.

In addition, if local wireless powering transmitter 1144 is indeedimplemented, it can operate responsive to docking detector 1150detecting that PED 555 is supported by the body.

Station 1100 moreover optionally includes a memory 1170, as mentionedabove. Memory 1170 can store instructions as to how station 1100 is tooperate, data from its operation, and so on. Memory 1170 can beimplemented in any number of ways. For example, it can be part of thememory of a processor that operates the functions of station 1100. Or itcan be implemented separately from such a processor.

Station 1100 additionally optionally includes a data port 1175. Dataport 1175 can be for wired transfer of data, such as a USB port. Or itcan be for wireless transfer of data. Data port 1175 can be used forexporting data stored in memory 1170, receiving data that is to bestored in the memory, or both.

In some embodiments, memory 1170 can store data relative to the dockingdetector 1150 detecting that PED 555 is supported by the body. Forexample, it can store times at which PED 555 was docked and undocked onstation 1100, whether it was recognized as a PED pre-matched to station1100, the times a call was received, e.g. by sensing notifier signal NS,and so on.

In some embodiments, memory 1170 can store sound data, for laterreproduction by a speaker of station 1100, to notify of a call received.That speaker can be speaker 1132 or a different speaker. Such sound datacan be a custom ring tone. The sound data can be imported electronicallythrough data port 1175, or via a microphone 1178, which can convert areceived sound message to sound data.

FIG. 11B is a block diagram of components of a station 1180 forsupporting another PED 1190, according to other optional embodiments ofthe invention. Station 1180 includes a body 1182, which can be made asdescribed above for body 1110. In addition, station 1180 includes manycomponents made as was described above with reference to FIG. 11A. Whatis different is that PED 1190 is being charged by wires, not wirelessly.In this embodiment, station 1180 has been combined with an adapter.Power supply module 1115 is implemented by a transformer that is adaptedto advantageously both power station 1100 and charge PED 1190.

Body 1182 defines a seat 1181. Station 1180 can include conductorcontacts for a PED that is in seat 1181. Of those, conductor contacts1185 are for powering PED 1190, and optional conductor contact 1187 canbe for communicating other information with it. As PED 1190 is docked atstation 1180, the conductor contacts of station 1180 can make matingconnection with respective conductor contacts 1195, 1197 of PED 1190.The connection can be made the same way as when a PED is plugged intoits charger.

Power supply 1115 feeds power to PED 1190 through conductor contacts1185 and 1195. In addition, station 1180 optionally includes chargingswitch 1184. Charging switch 1184 may be controlled as is desired, forexample by docking detector 1150.

A station according to embodiments is an accessory for a PED, in thesame way that a charger is an accessory. In fact, in some embodiments,the station is integrated with the charger, as seen above.

In some embodiments, a station according to embodiments is not matchedto work with a specific PED, such as PED 555. It is generic, and canwork with a variety of PEDs. In addition, a filter such as filter 1124can help train the station for that matching.

In other embodiments, a station according to embodiments is prematchedto work with a specific PED, such as 555. The prematched station can besold together with the PED, as an accompanying accessory. In others, itcan designate which PED(s) it supports, for users to purchase.

Prematching can be either mechanical, or electrical, or both. Mechanicalprematching can be, for example, by the shape of a cavity, for receivingthe PED. Electrical prematching means that the filter is attuned inadvance, and so on.

More features can be added this way. For example, if a station isprematched to a specific PED, and a different PED is inserted, thestation can give an appropriate notification, and so on.

Operations of the invention are now described.

FIG. 12A is a diagram of a scene 1205. A user 1208 is away from abuilding 1207, which could be their home or office. User 1208 carriesPED 555 upon their person, and can thus receive calls.

As seen in the detail, in building 1207 there is a surface 1201, such asthe top of a table, a counter, etc. A station 1200 made according toembodiments is on surface 1201. In addition, an optional telephone 1266is provided on surface 1201, which uses a land line for its connection.FIG. 12A shows telephone 1266 as optional, to better illustrate how, incertain circumstances, it is rendered obsolete by the present invention.

In FIG. 12A, while user 1208 is away from building 1207, he does notneed telephone 1266, or its land line, at least for voice. If telephone1266 is indeed provided, it can receive calls, but the user will not bethere to take them. Telephone 1266 can receive messages, as can PED 555.

FIG. 12B is a diagram of a scene 1206. Scene 1206 is similar to scene1205, except that user 1208 is now in building 1207. PED 555 is nowsupported on station 1200, and can thus receive calls. Plus, because ofstation 1200, user 1208 can hear PED 555 ring, even if user 1208 hasstepped to the next room, depending on the setting of volume controller1134. If station 1200 has been placed at a central location within thepremises of building 1208, its ringing may cover the entire premises.This, without the user needing to carry PED 555 on their person while atthe premises.

In FIG. 12B, user 1208 can also receive a telephone call at telephone1266, instead of at PED 555. Telephone 1266 adds value to the user wherethe premises are large, by ringing at multiple locations. And, for thatadditional value, the user pays every month for the cost of the landline.

Accordingly, as mentioned above, some users can save on monthly fees.More particularly, if they live in modest-sized premises, they needpurchase station 1200 once for their PED. Then they can discontinue theland line for voice purposes.

The operation of station 1200 is now examined in more detail, in theevent a wireless signal is received by supported PED 555.

FIG. 13 is the diagram of a station 1300 according to an embodiment ofstation 1200 of FIG. 12B, and in the same situation, except supportedPED 555 is also receiving a wireless signal 1340, and vibrates 350because of it. In the example of FIG. 13, station 1300 can sense thevibration 350 and therefore rings 1350, for example as if it were a hometelephone.

FIG. 14 is the diagram of a station 1400 according to an embodiment ofstation 1200 of FIG. 12B, and in the same situation, except supportedPED 555 is also receiving a wireless signal 1440, and rings 250 becauseof it. In the example of FIG. 14, station 1400 can sense the ringing250, and therefore again rings 1450, for example as if it were a hometelephone.

FIG. 15 is the diagram of a station 1500 according to an embodiment ofstation 1200 of FIG. 12B, and in the same situation, except supportedPED 555 is also receiving a wireless signal 1540, and vibrates 350because of it. In the example of FIG. 15, the station notifier ofstation 1500 is a station light 1536. Station 1500 can sense thevibration 350, and therefore station light 1536 provides a light signalby lighting up 1550.

FIG. 16 is the diagram of a station 1600 according to an embodiment ofstation 1200 of FIG. 12B, and in the same situation, except supportedPED 555 is also receiving a wireless signal 1640, and rings 250 becauseof it. In the example of FIG. 16, the station notifier of station 1600is a station light 1636. Station 1600 can sense the ringing 250, andtherefore station light 1636 provides a light signal by lighting up1650.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart 1700 for describing a method for a station.The method of flowchart 1700 may also be practiced by physicalembodiments described above, e.g. station 500, station 1100, and so on.

According to an optional operation 1710, it is detected whether a PED issupported by the station. If not, the process repeats, until there issuch detection. If or when there is such detection, according to anoptional next operation 1720, a docking indicator is actuated inresponse to the detection. As mentioned also above, such a dockingindicator can be audible or visible when actuated.

According to an optional operation 1730, a powering signal istransmitted to power the PED. The powering signal is wired or wireless.In the preferred embodiment, operation 1730 is performed only whenoperation 1710 detects that a PED is supported by the station, andresponsive to it.

According to an operation 1740, it is sensed whether a PortableElectronic Device (PED) is operating a PED mechanism for notifying auser about a wireless signal that the PED is receiving. The wirelesssignal would be received from a transmitter at least 500 ft away fromthe station, and can be in conjunction with receiving a telephone callor a text message. If not, the process repeats, until there is suchsensing.

Operation 1740 can be implemented in any number of ways. For example,sensing can include sensing a mechanical vibration of the PED mechanism,or sensing a ring tone emitted by the PED mechanism. In someembodiments, the station can include a base and a receptacle forsupporting the PED, and sensing includes sensing a vibration between thebase and the receptacle.

According to a next operation 1750, a call signal is outputtedresponsive to the sensing of operation 1740.

According to a next operation 1760, a human-perceptible indication isgenerated responsive to the call signal. The human-perceptibleindication can be a call sound, a light signal, both, and so on. In someembodiments, the human-perceptible indication is generated only whilethe PED is detected as supported by the station, as per optionaloperation 1710.

In all of the above embodiments, a single PED 555 was shown hosted ordocked on a single device. It should be appreciated that a user mighttry to host or dock multiple PEDs on a single station made according tothe invention.

Some stations according to the invention are made expressly for a singlePED. These are called single-seat, or one-seat, or one-seater. Otherstations are made according to embodiments for multiple PEDs, and can becalled a two-seater, four-seater, multi-seater, and so on. Seats can bedesigned so that each is intended nominally for one PED. But there is norequirement that seats be designated, or that a station according to theinvention indicate how many PEDs it is designed for. Plus, for purposesof describing multiple PEDs at a station, the above mentioned PED 555can be termed even more particularly the first PED, and any additionalPEDs can be accordingly termed the second PED, third PED, and so on.

FIG. 18 repeats the diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 14, but whichbeing used to support PED 555, along with one more PED 1856 at the sametime. Station 1400 may be either a single-seater, or a multiple seater,or not have seats designated at all. Even if station 1400 is expressly asingle seater, a user might simply try to host in the single seat twoPEDs, namely PED 555 together with PED 1856.

In the diagram of FIG. 18, PED 555 is receiving wireless signal 1440,and rings 250 because of it. In the example of FIG. 14, station 1400 cansense the ringing 250, and therefore again rings 1450, for example as ifit were a home telephone. Upon getting there, a person summoned willoften be able to tell which of PEDs 555 and 1856 is indeed the oneringing.

In addition, multiple-seater stations can be implemented according toembodiments, for expressly hosting multiple PEDs instead of just one. Insuch embodiments, the aspects included above for notifying that thefirst PED is using its PED mechanism can be either replicated or sharedfor use for notifying about the additional docked PEDs.

In multi-seater embodiments, the body can be adapted to host theadditional PEDs. For example, it can have individualized spaces, orseats, for receiving the PEDs. Designations can be added to indicate theseats, if desired. The designations can be with writing. A dockingdetector can be provided for each seat, or a single docking detector1150 can be used for PEDs in more than one of the seats. A dockingindicator can be provided for each seat, or a single docking indicatorcan be used to indicate that there is one PED in at least one of theseats.

In multi-seat embodiments, a sensor such as sensor 1120 can be shared,or there can be sensors for the PED of each seat. A filter such asfilter 1124 can be shared, or there can be sensors for the PED of eachseat. Or a single filter 1124 can instead be attuned to recognize morethan one PED mechanisms. Attuning can be from the factory, or bytraining A sensor training actuator such as actuator 1126 can beprovided for multiple filters, of for multiple training of a filter thatcan recognize more than one PED mechanism. A circuit such as circuit1122 can be shared, or there can be circuits for the PED of each seat.

In multi-seat embodiments, a station notifier such as station notifier1130 can be shared, shared in part, or there can be station notifiersfor the PED of each seat. A station light such as station light 1136 canbe shared, or there can be station lights for the PED of each seat. Astation speaker such as Station speaker 1132 can be shared, or there canbe station speakers for the PED of each seat. The human-perceptibleindication emitted from the one or more station notifiers can be thesame or different for the different PEDs vibrating or ringing.

An example of an expressly multi-seat embodiment is now described.

FIG. 19A is a diagram of a sample four-seat embodiment, where a station1900 has a body 1910. Station 1900 is suitable for accommodating fourPEDs, by having four seats 1911A, 1911B, 1911C, 1911D in body 1910.Seats 1911A, 1911B, 1911C, 1911D also have cavities, as is preferred,but not necessary. In addition, means for applying tension can be usedin conjunction with seats 1911A, 1911B, 1911C, 1911D, and so on.

FIG. 19A is further a snapshot of where a PED 1955A is in seat 1911A, aPED 1955D is in seat 1911D, and a PED 1955B has just been placed in seat1911B, as indicated by an arrow.

Station 1900 includes station lights 1936A, 1936B, 1936C, 1936D for PEDsin seats 1911A, 1911B, 1911C, 1911D, respectively. Station light 1936Bis lit, because PED 1955B is just being placed in seat 1911B. Stationlight 1936B will stop being lit after a few seconds, in this embodiment.

Station 1900 also includes a station speaker 1932 that corresponds toPEDs in all four seats. In the snapshot of FIG. 19A, speaker 1932 issilent. In another embodiment, speaker 1932 might emit an audiblemessage acknowledging that PED 1955B is just being placed in seat 1911B.

FIG. 19B is a diagram of station 1900 of FIG. 19A, at a later time. PED1955D, docked in seat 1911D, is receiving a call, and is ringing 250.Station light 1936D is lit, for example blinking, and station speaker1932 is ringing 1950. A user might hear ringing 1950 and approach. Thenthey can see that it is station light 1936D that is lit, and willtherefore know that PED 1955D is the one receiving the call.

Multi-seat embodiments may have isolation between the seats, so that thesensor or one seat will not be affected by the PED mechanism of a PED isa neighboring seat. But isolation may not be necessary if all sensorsoperate at once, and the one with the strongest signal is deemed to bethe one that is sensing the legitimate call.

A person skilled in the art will be able to practice the presentinvention in view of the description present in this document, which isto be taken as a whole. Numerous details have been set forth in order toprovide a more thorough understanding of the invention. In otherinstances, well-known features have not been described in detail inorder not to obscure unnecessarily the invention.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, thespecific embodiments as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense. Indeed, it should be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art in view of the present description that theinvention may be modified in numerous ways. The inventor regards thesubject matter of the invention to include all combinations andsubcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/orproperties disclosed herein.

The following claims define certain combinations and subcombinations,which are regarded as novel and non-obvious. Additional claims for othercombinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/orproperties may be presented in this or a related document.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. An automobile that can support a PortableElectronic Device (PED), the PED including an antenna operable toreceive a wireless signal from a remote transmitter at least 500 feetaway from the PED, the PED further including a vibration mechanism forgenerating a mechanical vibration to notify a user about the wirelesssignal being received, the automobile comprising: a station distinctfrom the PED, the station including: a body integrated with theautomobile, the body distinct from the PED, the body defining a PED seatfor supporting the PED thereat, a vibration sensor for sensing themechanical vibration while the PED is supported at the PED seat, acircuit for outputting a notifier signal responsive to the sensorsensing the mechanical vibration, and a station notifier for generating,responsive to the notifier signal, a human-perceptible indicationdistinct from the mechanical vibration.
 15. The automobile of claim 14,in which the station further includes a sensor training actuator forinforming the circuit when the mechanical vibration is indeed beinggenerated by the PED while the PED is supported at the PED seat.
 16. Theautomobile of claim 14, in which the station further includes a stationnotifier testing actuator for causing the human-perceptible indicationto be generated when the mechanical vibration is not being generated.17. The automobile of claim 16, in which the station notifier testingactuator simulates the notifier signal for causing the station notifierto generate the human-perceptible indication.
 18. The automobile ofclaim 16, in which the station notifier testing actuator duplicates thenotifier signal for causing the station notifier to generate thehuman-perceptible indication.
 19. A method for an automobile to supporta Portable Electronic Device (PED), the PED including an antennaoperable to receive a wireless signal from a remote transmitter at least500 feet away from the PED, the PED further including a vibrationmechanism for generating a mechanical vibration to notify a user aboutthe wireless signal being received, the automobile comprising a stationdistinct from the PED, the station including a body integrated with theautomobile, the body distinct from the PED, the body defining a PED seatfor supporting the PED thereat, the method comprising: sensing amechanical vibration being generated by the vibration mechanism whilethe PED is supported at the PED seat; outputting a notifier signalresponsive to the sensing of the mechanical vibration; and generating,responsive to the notifier signal, a human-perceptible indicationdistinct from the mechanical vibration.